The state should help
My name is Linda Diehl-Darms and I experienced the Valley Fire. Our County has been as gracious, kind and resourceful as anyone, in my opinion, could wish for or expect. This was a horrific disaster and I believe they are doing their best to follow all the governmental guidelines that they have no control over, and at the same time trying to make concessions that are within their jurisdiction to assist us in making the rebuild effort as easy as possible. We are fortunate that we have leaders that care about our county and what happens to the people that live here, not only on a local level, but also on a state and federal level.
None of us like to be told that we have to pay for this or that. It is frustrating to say the least and it feels like we have lots of hoops to jump through. Just as we did not ask for this to happen to us and we have a big job ahead of ourselves rebuilding our homes, county personnel did not ask for this either and they must do the job that they are tasked to do as well, help hundreds of people through the process to rebuild with a handful of dedicated staff. (Remember,the Valley Fire was not the only fire that created devastation that requires County staff time.)
We were promised in numerous early meetings by the county leaders that there would be no rebuilding permit costs; however, it was found that cannot be done. Those leaders apologized. If they had their way, we would not have to pay to rebuild, but they are bound by rules and regulations and I believe what counts is that they sincerely wanted to give it to us without charge. Insurance companies have designated funds for permits and fees for the homeowner to tap into, it is part of the insurance policies. Those who were uninsured, these county leaders are working on finding funding to pay for County permits and fees. We have all in our lives made promises we thought we could keep only to find out it was impossible and we have had to apologize and renege.
The above being said, there is a letter that is being sent to all property owners who had CalRecycle clean up their lots and it is coming on Lake County Environmental letterhead. This letter is asking for insurance information per CalRecycle’s request so they know how much property owners have for debris cleanup, going as far as asking for a certified copy of your insurance policy and your total payout information. In the many meetings that I attended, we were told that CalRecycle would handle the billing and deal directly with the property owner’s insurance company and only what was designated for cleanup would be accepted as payment in full.
My suggestion to those who receive this letter, call your insurance company and send them a copy of it. Be aware that if your insurance company tells you that they gave you the debris cleanup funds, they will tell you the amount of the line item, then you are responsible to pay CalRecycle directly. In my opinion, what the total payout was is only the property owner and the insurance company’s business.
I believe this letter for CalRecycle puts the County staff in a very awkward, unfair, and time consuming position. The County staff has a large enough workload just trying to take care of all the property owners that are trying to rebuild their homes. I urge you to call our State Representatives — State Senator Mike McGuire at 468-8914 and Assemblyman Bill Dodd at 576-0400 — and tell them that the state should NOT dump this onto property owners and the County of Lake.
Linda Diehl-Darms, Middletown
Cut to the chase
It’s time to adjust our time spent watching the news media. By now we should all know that in November Hillary will be wiping up the floor with the hateful, bigoted, mealy mouth Tea Bagger from La La Land, Stumpy. Why waste precious time in listening to the comments he utters when we can be enjoying each day of this gift of life which should be spent gratefully enjoying all the wonderful aspects of living on our lake and doing all the things that we can do here.
Spring is here! Our beautiful orange poppies are far more pleasing than Stumpy’s orange complexion. Our songbirds are returning along with the hummingbirds! Soon our duck population will be enhanced with the tiny little ducklings taking their first dip in the water. Soon we’ll enjoy our woodpecker’s chatter as they refill their winter depleted supply of acorns in their storage holes. These sure beat having to listen to the blowhard, self-centered, factless babbling that clown number one will be offering over the next seven months.
A delightful dream is of Obama or Hillary appointing Supreme Court judges that will bring views and judgements favoring the working class and bringing the fairness level for the equal rights of all American citizens, especially the women of this nation. The reality is that the “HUGE WIN” by Hillary will also include kicking to the curb many of the do nothing tea baggers who have blocked this nation from moving in a positive, progressive direction for the past seven years. Ah, progress into our future at last!
The 2016 vintage of our locally grown juices of the grape will be well received by all those toasting a toast to the “Happy Days Are Here Again” glee like of those past days when our nation came out of those sad days of the great depression in the 40s.
Jim Hall, Clearlake Oaks
